BLOG: Who's Got the Mojo Now?

Much has been made of the 48 team’s “mojo,” that indescribable…something that allowed it to win five straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crowns from 2006-2011.

No matter what went on, no matter how dire the situation seemed, Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus and the rest of the team found a way to win the big enchilada in the end.

That mojo has transferred these days across the paddock to the No. 20 Dollar General/Home Depot team, which had some mojo of its own not so long ago.

The team won two titles in three seasons with Tony Stewart at the wheel, 2002 and 2005, but had suffered a dearth of titles once Stewart left in 2009. Joey Logano was brought in to take over the seat, but couldn’t get it done. The only two original crew members left, car chief Jason Shapiro and tire specialist Jerold Shires, are in great position to make it three titles should new driver Matt Kenseth keep it up for eight more races.

That’s not to say the Chase is over. Oh, no, way too much can happen in eight races. Kenseth does have history on his side, as the last two drivers to win the first two Chase races won the title that year. Stewart was the last in 2011.

Do you see a common thread here?

The 48 team, with its coterie of well-experienced crew members, isn’t out of it, nor is Kenseth’s own teammate, Kyle Busch, who has finished second in the first two races. But there’s ample evidence that the team in the compound that’s 10 feet tall and bullet-proof these days is No. 20.

Thoughts?